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Someone Explains Why Water Feels Peaceful, And There’s Actually A Scientific Reason Behind It
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Someone Explains Why Water Feels Peaceful, And There’s Actually A Scientific Reason Behind It

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Many of us look forward to getting into a shower or a warm bath after a hard day, and not for hygienic reasons only. Having water run down our skin can be extremely soothing and relaxing, especially when we’re surrounded by delightful smells and refreshing sense of cleanliness. It’s no wonder that sometimes you can find yourself craving that sensation on a random day, or even wish to dive headfirst into a body of water. One Tumblr user, probably with the same craving, started wondering, why people have this need and how was the sense of peace so closely related to water. Well, it wouldn’t be Tumblr if people didn’t rush to explain it. Scroll down to read what they had to say and, hey, you might learn something new!

Someone on Tumblr was wondering why they have an urge to swim and have some peace, so people were quick to explain it

And while it’s not entirely the sense of safety that our brains recall, we might really associate water with the sense of peace because of the mammalian diving reflex

Image credits: Leah Kelley

Another user clarified what the diving reflex is and how it works

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Basically, when cool water touches our faces and we hold our breath, our heart rate goes down and blood is pulled to the center of our bodies, which creates a sense of peace

Image credits: doublecompile

Some users even shared how this reflex is applied in practical situations

Check out this video below to see how the mammalian diving response works

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necromanced avatar
Keuthonymos
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't interpret this to mean humans have an evolved reflex for diving. We don't. The diving reflex in humans, whilst still ambiguous, is more than likely a survival response. You probably feel comforted because you are surrounded by a warm liquid, much like when you were in the womb, not because of a sensation of being stranded in the middle of a freezing cold ocean waiting to die.

magdalina777 avatar
Magdalina777
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is actually a certain state of mind/body you can feel when diving(I mean free diving, no gear) :) Between the time you go down and the time you run out of oxygen there's a time(for some that's a few seconds but actually current breath-holding record is something over 20 minutes underwater, look it up; 2-3 minutes definitely isn't unusual for people into this kind of stuff, and that's quite a while) of absolute peace when you just...relax. The more you relax the longer you can stay - down there, you can feel that thoughts take oxygen too. It's an interesting experience, different from anything else really and I guess what fascinates people in free diving the most.

Load More Replies...
susann_campbell_7 avatar
Susann Campbell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will stay in the shower and get my faced wet for a long time but I will not put my head under water because I cannot breath or hold my breath for more than seconds at a time. I have tried but panic. But I do love water all over my body and my husband has to hold me back when we get near water fountains or man made ponds. Feet first then slide in. ooops , then out again like it was an accident.

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I learned something new and very interesting. Thank you. I always loved water and now I'm going to take a shower and test the theory :)

issamnassif avatar
issam
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The moment i reached " the fish is still living in us " my attention drifted .

crisbarriuso avatar
Miss Cris
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why my granny's tip for everything was "go wash your face": when crying, when nervous, when raged, etc.

rhodaguirreparras avatar
Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From a swimmer here. I don't think the urge to swim has nothing to do with the mammalian diving reflex. Basically because I've swum at any temperature and the pleasure is the same. Even more when the water is not colder than 20 Celsius. It's the right breathing and the water massaging your body what gives you that feeling which is complicated to explain.

wolfpuppet avatar
Bored Fox
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strange. I always try to get out of the shower as fast as possible and I have always hated swimming.

november-echo avatar
Hisseefit
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm with you, Bored Fox. I just assume I must of been a cat in a former life. I like being clean, just hate prolonged soaking.

Load More Replies...
im_trad avatar
Maria Ines Molina
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The mammalian diving reflex is very strong with me :-) This is an excellent explanation and I'm planning on using it the next time they tell me I take too long in the shower!

captainzones avatar
The Cappy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Feel free to do that, just so long as you know you're fibbing. The diving reflex doesn't take place if the water is 70F or warmer. The

Load More Replies...
billyandkelda avatar
Kelda Lush
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love water. I love swimming. But this reflex is horrible to me as its creates a Raynauds syndrome reaction! :(

eidjitovorovsky avatar
Eidji Tovorovsky
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some odd reason, Waterboarding came to mind as very UN-relaxing. But hey! that's just me and my sick mind.

octavia_2 avatar
Octavia Hansen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe this has something to do with we are mostly water, with a thin skin between us and the coalescence of liquid.

golgo13 avatar
Crocodile
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of ghost in the shell when kusunagi would dive into the water. Interesting.

noitallman avatar
noitall man
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes, wikipedia is a real source for facts.... Tell me more about this made up thing...

ciarajennifer avatar
Ciara Jennifer
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't feel peaceful when I touch water. Actually, I'm the opposite. I really dislike the feeling of any sort of liquid on my skin. It is not calming to me. I don't know why.

nothofagus001-sname avatar
Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that David Schwimmer in the last photo?! (Sorry, I had to ask...)

jim_hubbard avatar
Panda Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"It's literally activated by putting water on the face" Oh really? So waterboarding is a relaxation exercise?

christine_paterson2012 avatar
Krystine Patterson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't have thought sticking your face in icy cold water would be relaxing, as our natural instinct when suddenly plunged into cold water is to gasp.

captainzones avatar
The Cappy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This post and specifically the first answer to the OP's question is wrong and misleading. The OP was asking about the desire to swim, the answer was about the diving reflex and says "it's also why doing face masks and taking a shower is soothing." BS on both counts. Just because they called it a "diving reflex" doesn't mean it applies broadly to being in water. The diving reflex is a cold water response and is not provoked by temperatures above 70F/21C. Do take a shower in water colder than that? Do you do face masks colder than that? Do ANY OF US "have the overwhelming urge to swim" in water colder than that? Wetsuits don't count, since they're insulating you from the cold and thus blocking the reflex.

phong_lee avatar
Phong Lee
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm pretty sure this "diving reflex" is just something invented by the CIA to justify water-boarding.

r3dd3v1ll avatar
r3dd3v1lL
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't need sience to know that some people need to be left alone for a while or want to have a wank. Especially not "tumblr science".

thinkback avatar
Jon Payne
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a great life hack to help lower an elevated heart rate during a medical emergency.

dons avatar
Calypso poet
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I love Niagara Falls and the ocean. So soothing. We bought a shower head that has an awesome mist setting and it is so relaxing.

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is interesting, yet why is it always "Tumblr explains XYZ" if some stuff is discussed on social media that is not utterly made up but has actual scientific relevance? You could simply read the corresponding Wikipedia article...

necromanced avatar
Keuthonymos
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't interpret this to mean humans have an evolved reflex for diving. We don't. The diving reflex in humans, whilst still ambiguous, is more than likely a survival response. You probably feel comforted because you are surrounded by a warm liquid, much like when you were in the womb, not because of a sensation of being stranded in the middle of a freezing cold ocean waiting to die.

magdalina777 avatar
Magdalina777
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is actually a certain state of mind/body you can feel when diving(I mean free diving, no gear) :) Between the time you go down and the time you run out of oxygen there's a time(for some that's a few seconds but actually current breath-holding record is something over 20 minutes underwater, look it up; 2-3 minutes definitely isn't unusual for people into this kind of stuff, and that's quite a while) of absolute peace when you just...relax. The more you relax the longer you can stay - down there, you can feel that thoughts take oxygen too. It's an interesting experience, different from anything else really and I guess what fascinates people in free diving the most.

Load More Replies...
susann_campbell_7 avatar
Susann Campbell
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will stay in the shower and get my faced wet for a long time but I will not put my head under water because I cannot breath or hold my breath for more than seconds at a time. I have tried but panic. But I do love water all over my body and my husband has to hold me back when we get near water fountains or man made ponds. Feet first then slide in. ooops , then out again like it was an accident.

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And I learned something new and very interesting. Thank you. I always loved water and now I'm going to take a shower and test the theory :)

issamnassif avatar
issam
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The moment i reached " the fish is still living in us " my attention drifted .

crisbarriuso avatar
Miss Cris
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's why my granny's tip for everything was "go wash your face": when crying, when nervous, when raged, etc.

rhodaguirreparras avatar
Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

From a swimmer here. I don't think the urge to swim has nothing to do with the mammalian diving reflex. Basically because I've swum at any temperature and the pleasure is the same. Even more when the water is not colder than 20 Celsius. It's the right breathing and the water massaging your body what gives you that feeling which is complicated to explain.

wolfpuppet avatar
Bored Fox
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Strange. I always try to get out of the shower as fast as possible and I have always hated swimming.

november-echo avatar
Hisseefit
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm with you, Bored Fox. I just assume I must of been a cat in a former life. I like being clean, just hate prolonged soaking.

Load More Replies...
im_trad avatar
Maria Ines Molina
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The mammalian diving reflex is very strong with me :-) This is an excellent explanation and I'm planning on using it the next time they tell me I take too long in the shower!

captainzones avatar
The Cappy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Feel free to do that, just so long as you know you're fibbing. The diving reflex doesn't take place if the water is 70F or warmer. The

Load More Replies...
billyandkelda avatar
Kelda Lush
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love water. I love swimming. But this reflex is horrible to me as its creates a Raynauds syndrome reaction! :(

eidjitovorovsky avatar
Eidji Tovorovsky
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For some odd reason, Waterboarding came to mind as very UN-relaxing. But hey! that's just me and my sick mind.

octavia_2 avatar
Octavia Hansen
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe this has something to do with we are mostly water, with a thin skin between us and the coalescence of liquid.

golgo13 avatar
Crocodile
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of ghost in the shell when kusunagi would dive into the water. Interesting.

noitallman avatar
noitall man
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yes, wikipedia is a real source for facts.... Tell me more about this made up thing...

ciarajennifer avatar
Ciara Jennifer
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't feel peaceful when I touch water. Actually, I'm the opposite. I really dislike the feeling of any sort of liquid on my skin. It is not calming to me. I don't know why.

nothofagus001-sname avatar
Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that David Schwimmer in the last photo?! (Sorry, I had to ask...)

jim_hubbard avatar
Panda Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"It's literally activated by putting water on the face" Oh really? So waterboarding is a relaxation exercise?

christine_paterson2012 avatar
Krystine Patterson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wouldn't have thought sticking your face in icy cold water would be relaxing, as our natural instinct when suddenly plunged into cold water is to gasp.

captainzones avatar
The Cappy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This post and specifically the first answer to the OP's question is wrong and misleading. The OP was asking about the desire to swim, the answer was about the diving reflex and says "it's also why doing face masks and taking a shower is soothing." BS on both counts. Just because they called it a "diving reflex" doesn't mean it applies broadly to being in water. The diving reflex is a cold water response and is not provoked by temperatures above 70F/21C. Do take a shower in water colder than that? Do you do face masks colder than that? Do ANY OF US "have the overwhelming urge to swim" in water colder than that? Wetsuits don't count, since they're insulating you from the cold and thus blocking the reflex.

phong_lee avatar
Phong Lee
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm pretty sure this "diving reflex" is just something invented by the CIA to justify water-boarding.

r3dd3v1ll avatar
r3dd3v1lL
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't need sience to know that some people need to be left alone for a while or want to have a wank. Especially not "tumblr science".

thinkback avatar
Jon Payne
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a great life hack to help lower an elevated heart rate during a medical emergency.

dons avatar
Calypso poet
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why I love Niagara Falls and the ocean. So soothing. We bought a shower head that has an awesome mist setting and it is so relaxing.

crabcrab avatar
Hans
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is interesting, yet why is it always "Tumblr explains XYZ" if some stuff is discussed on social media that is not utterly made up but has actual scientific relevance? You could simply read the corresponding Wikipedia article...

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